Written question asked by Esther McVey (Conservative) on Thursday, 5 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 March 2026. It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Monday, 30 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Folic Acid

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 113069 on Folic Acid, what steps will be taken to stop wholemeal flour and other non-wheat products being voluntarily fortified with folic acid.

Answer

The Government introduced legislation in England on 14 November 2024 to mandate the fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid based on strong scientific assessment and modelling. The policy is estimated to prevent approximately 200 babies being born with neural tube defects each year.

Voluntary fortification of other foods with folic acid has existed for many years, mainly in products such as breakfast cereals and the Government has no plans to restrict it.

The fortification level for non-wholemeal flour was set using extensive modelling that accounted for existing voluntary fortification. This work showed that voluntary fortification makes only a small contribution to the number of people exceeding the recommended upper level for folic acid intake. On this basis, introducing limits on voluntary fortification was not considered necessary and would add regulatory complexity for businesses.

The level of folic acid fortification will be kept under review as part of the evaluation of this policy.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 118172
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Folic Acid
Monday, 23 February 2026
Written questions
House of Commons; Folic Acid
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Folic acid Flour
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Folic Acid

Secondary information

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